RedBubble

I have to echo this sentiment, Peter, this nurturing site is fantastic for inspiring myself and many many others to keep trying to better our work. I’m one of those people who work more effectively with positive reinforcement. The mileage of others may vary, though….so its good to know that there will be more options for critique.

Hear Hear!!!

Indeed, this is a mentality that is sorely lacking in the online world, and the abuse or “flaming” of those who are different than ourselves is all too common especially at Photography and Artist communities because we can certainly be an impassioned and opinionated group! Great plea, one I plan on applying in my daily travels here at RB! Thank you so much, true words of wisdom!

total agreement with this. many a great artist has been held back by many a bad critic :-)

amen

spot on Peter you are definitely talking for me. Thank you.

Thanks for putting it into words Peter! I have never been more inspired to create than I have been since joining Redbubble.

Agreed, and it is comments from people like CathyT that have inspired me to continue.

Peter, the opportunity to interact with friends and new friends via RedBubble is a pleasure.

Have to give you and your team a pat on the back for assisting my close colleagues and I since we’ve been involved with RedBubble. Some of us are quietly going along and appreciating the professional service being offered and delivered in regard to products.

Thank you.

Yes, the positive comments are great but I think I would learn a lot from constructive criticism. An opt-in area is the right thing to do because constructive criticism is not always easy to take – if you actively look for advice, it is easier.

I only joined Redbubble last week, and the nurturing, positive and encouraging enviornment is clearly evident as I wander around Redbubble.

Also as a newbie to Redbubble, I have found the positive comments to be very encouraging and positive. I would like to take this opportunity if I havent already done so, to thank all those who have posted positive and kind comments on my work… It is a fantastic community to be involved with… so thank you all.

Very well said Peter, I’ve had a lot of encouragement on this site which has been great. Great idea to have a forum for constructive critisism and a learning centre will be great!
Tina :-))

Thank you for putting into words what so many of us were obviously thinking Peter. The atmosphere of encouragement is what makes redbubble special and I’ve never been so consistently creative as I have since joining. So thanks for providing the climate where creativity can flourish.

Great stuff – encouragement – or positive reinforcement if you want to be all teacher speak – can move mountains.
Carrots, carrots and more carrots – leave the sticks to other sites

Fantastic way to manage the site Peter! I’ve found members at Red Bubble to be so welcoming, and I’ve only been here a day. And of course I appreciate all the postitive comments – but I’ll be creeping into the critique section eventually :)

well said…!

i love what you said..and most importantly..How you said it, this is a really great site, keep up the good work!

I quite agree!
One thing I really like about RB is that I haven’t seen the trashing and general rudeness that I’ve seen on other sites. I really like the idea of the critique and general comments being kept as two separate entities—makes RB even more of a place to comfortably share and grow.

I totally agree! I am a different, more confident person since joining RB! My family thinks I take too many pictures but finally I’ve found some true friends who think the same as I! I am so addicted to RB that I know when I get my computer back at home I won’t get anything done at home! Encouragement, compliments are the best way to bring out the best!

Agreed!
I find RedBubble to be an amazingly creative supportive community that inspires all of us.
Opting in for constructive criticism is the best way to go.
I am so glad I found you!!!

I concure.I think this is the best site I’ve been on so far.If we want to make suggestions of how we see it or would of done it we have the bubblemail to use also.We are all different an seen things differently.Its good to get other opinions but not nessaraliy for the whole word to see too.

I think the Critique Forum will be a great tool to help everyone grow.Its easy to miss things when we are passionant about a shot too.We can get caught up in the whole an miss some detail

Well said Peter! Red Bubble is one of the least bitchiest (ie not at all) and one of the most inspiring sites I have ever been on, no wonder it is so addictive!! With each and every comment, every add to someone’s watchlist or a piece of work added to someones favourites, it inspires me and moativates me to try and improve and create even further.

Very Well Said Peter! Excellent :-)

YES!!!

This is why this community is such a good one. You know exacly what your doing and its working.

The Critique Forum rules… you all better come and visit it! ;-)

that’s a really good idea.. i certainly have enjoyed my photography so much more after getting the just plain nice feedback from you guys on here. I have, in my journal, asked for constructive criticism but i agree, again, that it can be so easily misinterpreted on here, on any web-site, so the ‘opt-in’ thingy, that’s spot on as far as i’m concerned. Redbubble.. you just turned it up to 11.

Well said Peter, you’re steering the bubble, in the direction, that everyone wants, I think about the people I have met on here, during the day, at my normal job, Its like having a crowd of new friends. I dont feel qualified to criticise other peoples work, so i probably wont appear in the forum, but thats me. Anyway I’m really pleased with the progress you’re making, good on ya !!

i for one don’t mind constructive criticism. most people send me rbmail when they want to give some and that’s all good with me, i need it to grow. i can’t really grow on a steady diet of “wow amazing”. but i do love the nice comments they make me smile and i love the encouraging environment.

I don’t mind well placed comments, or critiques. Heck, the first critique I got was from Whirligig and it was good. Suggested I get rid of some excess distractions from a photograph to increase it’s impact.

Now, as much as art is relative to taste, I have found a few things I have thought ‘meh’ or ‘omigod what was that supposed to be?” but those are only my opinions. I am not going to insult someone for their creativity, as it comes from within that person.

I have only had one ummm rude comment, and it wasn’t enough to want it deleted, so I just ignored it. Most people are polite.

My grandma used to have a plaque on her wall, and I remember what it said:

Be careful of the words you say
Make them soft and sweet
You never know from day to day
Which ones you’ll have to eat.

That and what my aunt said “If you don’t have anything nice to say, say nothing at all.” I take this to mean if all you are going to do is rip something or someone apart, don’t do it. But if you see something (like the distraction on my photograph Whirly pointed out) then say so politely. No need to be rude about it.

Good call on the delineation between Comments and Critiques> each have their place, and each have their value.

wonderful idea!

I like your behind the scenes thinking Peter and you’re spot on, I can’t believe how much creativity has poured out since i joined in August…

There are so many ‘rate the art’ sites out there, where you are meant to give someone stars or points or whatever to rate their art. I tried those sites, and I really had a hard time in them. It isn’t that I can’t take criticism, but so many just used it as a way to beat others down. The atmosphere here is so much more encouraging and really does inspire and encourage creativity. Thank you so much for wanting to keep it that way. Having a critique forum and a learning center is a great idea—we all have things still to learn, and everyone should be permitted to learn at his or her own pace. Three cheers, as usual, for RedBubble. :)

I think this is a great idea. Sometimes you can be working on something and feel “stuck.” By generating the opinion of others, a fresh pair of eyes, so to speak, can be helpful in seeing what you’re missing. As long as folks stick to “constructive criticism,” it should work great.

mmm your right ” carefully managed” that is the key…. ive seen things get out of hand on other sites… and things get pissy…. people have very strong personal opinions, about equipment, technique and work flow….Some of it totally “bollocks”.... And people do get very hurt…. and they just leave !!!!! its sad….

However ive seen the quality of imaging rise incredibly over the last six months on social web sites, flickr etc…. And it will be the same here…. People learn by viewing others work, and hopefully the environment is right that they can ask questions of whoever….. in fact this may be a way to go, instead or as well as a critique group.. create a help group, where people can ask possibly more specific questions….

One thing that does worry me (no worry is the wrong word) is R_bubble is trying to do two things. 1 .. show case for excellence….. 2…. a social sharing site.. mmmm im not sure how you are going to manage this in the long run…

Just a few thoughts Happy daze,, nice site…

I agree with everything that is being said, however it would be nice sometimes to know what someone actually likes about your picture. A few times I have seen critiques (on my work and on other work) that say things like, “Good job!” or “Awesome!” or “This is really cool.” I try not to leave comments like that because they are vague.

Even when I am being positive I want to let people know exactly why I like something, and if I can’t figure it out I say that as well, I just say “I am not sure why, but this picture is peaceful” or something similar. To me it shows you are doing more than trolling through pictures and hitting CTRL-V to paste something into the box and hitting Add Comment so that someone will come back and give you a comment.

If you are going to post comments I think it is common courtesy to take 5 extra seconds and mention what you actually thought was good about the picture. I think most people do this anyway, but it is worth mentioning since I think others are just posting smiley faces here and there that don’t mean a thing.

Eventually, this constant “Good job!” and patting on the back without substance will lead to the watering down of comments in general and be like SPAM if we aren’t careful.

Yes – I think you make a good point Matt – and it’s certainly the way I try to comment.

Well said Peter – couldn’t agree with you more!

I think RB is doing a great job in keeping the balance between encouragement and critique without either getting out of hand.

Agree with Matt too about commenters giving the reasons why they like an image as that provides helpful feedback as well as encouragement.

Keep up the great job RB.

I’m with Matt and Tony on this > it’s obvious that much commenting is driven by the desire to get reciprocal visits and comments, and that many comments are essentially meaningless if not completely insincere. In the interim bubblemailing suggestions and critique is probably the best solution, but I do think that rb chances becoming v. lowest common denominator as the unremitting positivity encourages ever more kittens, fairies and macros of flowers (not that there is anything wrong with these… if something original is being brought to the work). Sure everyone is intrinsicly creative > but not everyone has developed their expressive potential. Providing and getting constructive criticism is good for everyone (no matter how much we’d like to all believe that we’re prefect).

Flickr, for eg, has built a really strong culture of support without so much syrupy niceness and also without overt hostile behavior > not that there aren’t acres of very ordinary family/pets/holiday snaps, and not that the most popular (based on interestingness) pics aren’t often cliched/sentimental/over-worked > but the community has tended to self-organise around groups so that those with more developed aesthetics and practices, or special interests, can provide each other with critique and meaningful input. Blocking can stop trolls or unwanted input, whilst groups can connect likeminded people without rb admin having to nanny the community. I’m hoping that rb will provide facilities for discussion threads from individual groups…. hint hint … so that real communities of interest can start developing here.

Would like more comments for those of us who really need encouragement, wtg. encouragement is what it is all about…

love to the bubble. and the bubblers.

I love the comments. and yes, specific and measurable is great too. Sometimes, though, my jaw drops, and the reason is obvious ie

http://images-0.redbubble.com/img/art/size:large/view:main/211218-1-eye-of-the-tiger.jpg

what a moment! sharp, action, unusal. the picture tells 1000 more words though! awesome doesn’t go far enough! (and no, this is not a paid endorsement!)

yes, nice is good. Positive, kind, caring words just ROCK.

thanks to everyone who takes the time to let (me) us know that they’ve looked and like, however they say it, and all the better (if able) to be articulate about it, all welcome!

I feel incredibly honoured when someone takes time. Please be sure to feel appreciated!

Fantastic! Couldn’t have said it better! : D

I agree with everyone. As a rank novice, I have learned so much in just a few weeks. The comments and encouragement are great, but I am also learning by reading the evaluations of other works. Understanding what makes a great shot is helping me to develop the “photographer’s eye” and see things that I would otherwise miss.

Thank you to all who have commented upon my work. It is much appreciated.

Peter, you have a great sense for what we all need and were looking for. Thank you!

That’s wonderful! Thanks!

A ‘critique forum’ is a good notion because you submit a work deliberately to receive critique from your peers, and, hopefully, you then react to that in a mature and inspired fashion.

A ‘learning centre’ is also a good idea; everyone has more they can learn!

Best thing since sliced bread.
This site as everything I need,I just hope you guys realize that.
And the really great thing about it …it keeps getting better.

If I ever have to pay to be here,I will.

David.

Yeah well if they ever start charging, David, you are footing my bill for suggesting it.

I agree with Matt and try to comment as such… but….comments be they inane platitudes, self serving intents of tit for tat, thankyou’s or flames, tis all interesting and informative to me to see where they land & I am constantly surprised by where they do seem to coagulate. For instance, one painting I find completely pedestrian and put up as an experiment, has had more comments than anything else I have posted.

While I would much prefer constructive comments than “I love this”...I do think that not everyone has a way with words, they just know they like it…and like it enough to leave a comment {self servers excluded} and realizing that they can’t comment on ALL my work, take note of what IS commented on….tis quite insightful.

I’m not sure if its the ‘play nice’ tag or just the general overall attitude of Redbubble that makes it such a friendly site. Either way…. I think it works… you know a bllsht comment when ya read one, ignore those, take what you can from the rest.

I have only been with Redbubble for a few days now, and I am really starting to feel comfortable here. I love taking pictures, but critism is hard for me to deal with. I like the idea that you can choose to see or not to see what people are saying. So far I have had a couple of comments and it has really inspired me to do my best. Thank you so much to everybody that has commented so far! I am looking forward to Bubbling for years to come!

Hear hear! – RedBubble – exactly as it is now – Please play nice policy is a definate bonus and the right way to go about things.

As a general rule the human psyche is extremely fragile especially
that of young people. It takes a very thick skin and gobs of self-confidence
to deflect the cold critics of today’s world. Many a dream has been shattered
by a cruel remark, a dirty look, snobbery from unthinking individuals. I could
not live with myself if I knew my missplaced words had squelched someone’s
creativity. I am no professional by any stretch of the imagination; therefore,
I don’t feel I have the right to “constructively criticize” anyone’s
artistic endeavors. Ten or twelve years ago I began taking creative writing short
courses at Duke University and Meredith College in Raleigh. The professors
instructed each participant to read their written works in front of the whole class, and
going around the room each classmate was called upon to say only POSITIVE things about the writing. Always. Everytime. No departure from stated guidelines tolerated. It worked as the mood was friendly, supportive, creative, and there existed a genuine
eagerness to help each other succeed at dreams we buried in attics
30, 40 years ago. Peter, I agree 100% with your statement that
everyone is inherently creative. An expert is not born either. They must
practice every single day for awhile to get to a level of satisfaction that is
pleasing to the public as well as the artist herself. This practice must
include an encouraging environment of like-minded people. I’m usually
only able to log on once or twice a week for short periods at a time, and
isn’t really enough for me to comment on all the work here. I don’t know of
anyone who has that kind of free time, so a simple “Great. or Beautiful or
whatever” is OK with me.The things here that really strike me negatively,
I just skip and move on to something else.
This is a fun place for all. I want it to be successful.

PS: If a participant really, really feels they want or need my two cents, then
they’ll have to Bubblemail me and ASK FOR IT. I will be glad to oblige them.

DA has to bow down …now..

I, too, agree wholeheartedly! I think everyone has a unique perspective, and everyone has a different idea of the perfect image. I believe we can learn from and appreciate all kinds of viewpoints and types of art.

Everyone on Redbubble is so encouraging. Good friendly comments, seriously helps people push forward and creates an artistically hungry community.

I love Redbubble :)

While it is true that acclaim from a critic can propel a creative or performing artist to stardom and immortality in the halls of fame, the opposite must also be true. To much or the wrong kind of put down from a critic, can destroy a career before it even starts. One only has to watch Vincent Price’s film, Theatre Of Blood, to get an idea of the destructive nature of critisism. Encouragement & Guidance will ever be so much better, although it takes more effort, and requires more discipline.

I have only been on RedBubble for less than two days. I have seven pictures on the books. I have received four comments relating to three of the pictures. Not only were all four complementary, but two were funny. It was this that made me raise more of my work to the site (they were funny) so thank you to Pagly2 of Waroona Australia, and Brad Hutchings of Sturgis USA.

It’s true that unless criticism is constructive and serves to help the artist reflect upon and develop her/his techniques, then it’s really just a waste of space, bandwidth and energy, this being said however, we don’t live in an ‘ideal’ world and not all people, who may benefit from, or contribute to, the redbubble community, have the vital skills required in order to be able to ‘talk nicely’. Chronological age does not equate to mental and emotional maturity. This isn’t to say that a person can’t learn, but, you, know, as with the old saying about teaching an old dog new tricks… I try to play nicely, but it’s damn hard to achieve because by nature and nurture, I’m simply not a nice person. Please don’t discriminate against the ‘not nice people’ of this world, we really do try hard to play fair without committing homicide. ;-)

It’s about time there’s a site out there that actually meets the needs of everyone involved. Nice work RB…nice work indeed. ArtWanted sucks in comparison.

This site is like a breath of fresh air – never knew they existed until I stumbled across it one day and many thanks for those who have been so nice about my work. I only joined a few days ago! Keep up the inspiring work RB and all you bubblers out there!

This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever read! I signed up for this site just now in my search for the one place where one can get honest opinions. We all have mothers and aunts to get reassurement and comfort, (not to mention ie. just about every photo upload/comment site on the net.)

Play teletubbies all you want – I’m out of here!

Everybody needs encouragement. I’ve looked at the images on here and I’m amazed at how good they are. I have seen some which are poor too, but it doesn’t matter. We all grew up learning by encouragement.

Creativity is best sparked by a culture of encouragement and positivity. Well done on you. I can now feel more confident in trying out some ideas that may otherwise just have been ridiculed.

I will try to stay nice; the devil’s daughter!

encouragment is the best support of all!!

Thank you Peter for very encouraging and uplifting words, Redbubble is proving to be a great resource and asset to the artistic community, keep the good work up!

Kurt

This site just keeps getting better.

Thank you.

I fully agree because a positive feed back will help and sharing ideas that would help one be better in their creative pursuets

Yes! Thats right! I agree with MissA!

this isnt the army peter, and yes no one
wants to be shouted into improvement here.
defending the army, it works there.

I agree with this politic, I belive that a good critique isnt rude and help in a positive way to grown up, rude coments not drive anywhere. bravo again for this kind of politics^^

well done my friends keep go a head

I’ve just added my first piece of art to Redbubble, and to be honest, I’m not sure it’s everyones’ cup of vodka. But I look forward to the honesty of my peers.
A great site with a great persona: thanks Redbubble for the mentality that allows people to be…well…people !

Hi ewryone! Im first time on this site and this greate site bicause here ewryone can show they works. Keep goo! Thanks!

nicely put mate – redbubble on!

agree 100%! Way to go Redbubble! w00t!

Congratulations for this professional approach.

So true.Encouragement from my friends and family got me finally drawing again!

Most of the users on this site I’ve encountered have been nice with their comments. Although I have run into one person who seems to have it in for me though, calling a piece of my work ‘lame’. And then proceeding to tell me ‘I have big hair and a small penis.’ So I wouldn’t say everyone understands or is adapting this approach yet.

Peter, i appreciate your efforts. I was only joking with someone but everyone takes things as a personal insult. Over the last few days I have heard women called the “C” word and the filthiest things on this planet have been said about people you disagreed with the Home Page. Lets’s be very, very sure that this “play nice” applies to everyone. Thanks for making the above statement. We all want to get this site back to a place where peole can enjoy art and have stimulating, not hateful, discussions. A little humor wouldn’t hurt. Take care.

hi

lie and only say positive things about peoples work. do not express an opinion unless it will put a smile on the recievers face. I love this comment, it was so useful and so needed. I love medicority. I love banality. I love…

Yeah totally. it only takes a bad comment to stop someone in their tracks. I know, it isn’t the nicest thing to have happen…

Wow! wonderful image!!!

I was a member of deviantart before but something about this site, idk its just more appealing everyone seems nicer, and now i see why, Go red bubble!

I like this pace more also. I was a member of Webshots before, still am, but here is better environment. I like that here are more professional photos. And to get featured is more upright, I guess. I think to put smile into everybody face is better than put weeping, isnt it. I am amateur, but I need to get inspirations, so if get some…I will do better and better.

hHi my name is beatrice andi agree with the play nice mentality as i am a nice person and would noy want someone saying unpleasant things about me and [ or my work so [PLAY NICE lol thank you …

I agree play nice..uz ceative peeps are a soulful lot and need to encourage each other ..for the greater good ;} hugglez

Yep, we need each others support, indeed. If requested, an honest critique can be golden, but it’s great to have a safe place to show your soul!

Oh my goodness. Here I was looking for help, due to having been weirdly attacked by a member of Red Bubble, and what I found out is that I was doing something wrong myself. Which is to say, it never occurred to me that constructive criticism would be the wrong way of commenting.. I count myself as having been corrected.

Now, what do I do about the weird attacks?

I have fun….everyone who knows me on the site….has fun too!! LOL! No room for being mean…life is far too short!

I agree

This is great. I must say I’ve found the RedBubble community amazingly friendly and supportive. It’s great that artists at every stage can have a chance to express themselves.

Great idea. I’m new to Red Bubble but I like it here all ready. I’ll play nice :)

I have definitely noticed this environment. As a “newbie” it is refreshing to know that is the goal of Red Bubble.

I support this!

thank you, peter. a way of life i have always supported. so happy glad to know of your…red bubbles…high intentions.

I am very excited about being part of a community of artists that understands that we may use different mediums, but all deserve to be seen and appreciated

“We think exposure to criticism should be an opt in process”

Do you not think that choosing to ‘publish’ your work is opting in?

Just a thought.

I agree with all of this. I really wish the comment box was right under the main comment.
I am looking forward to being apart of this website.

This is all and good as long as artists can make a distinction between RB, which is safe and chocked full of nice, positive, sometimes phatic, comments and the real art world that isn’t as accepting and forgiving and which doesn’t always “play nice.”

Well said Peter, I think most of us will be behind you.

woop

Well said !!!! We should encourage people to be creative and discover hidden talents.
Good job !!

Nice Thinking Peter! Keep Well. Robert.

applaud

Good for you!!! Great for us!!!

my creative skills have flourished since posting on RB…it’s the best thing i could of ever done, i’ve gained more confidence in my skills and creative ideas since finding you RB..thank you

A few GOOD Words…..............Never hurt anybody…..........infact those of encouragement
may make the next rising star!!